Automatic presser-foot lifter for sewing-machines



(No Model.)

0. G. STRATTON.

AUTOMATIG- PRESSER-FOOT LIFTER FOR SEWING MACHINES.

No. 258,612. Patentgd May 30, 1882.

' IHIIN 1 I II" 111m; T yllmum 1 3W L INVENT 51% r v z l UNITE STATES ATENT @rrrcn.

- AUTOMATIC PRESSER-FOOT LIFTER FOR SEWlNG MACHlNES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 258,612, dated May 30, 1882.

Application filed March 20, 1882.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES G. STRATTON, of Worcester, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sewing-Machines; and I declare the following to be a description of my'said invention sufficiently full, clear, and exact to enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

The object of my present invention is to pro videa simple and practical mechanism for antomatically raising the resser-foot on sewingmachines and relieving the pressure and drag upon the work while said foot is moving forward or changing position in relation to the work; also, to afl'ord means for the convenient adjustment of the devices to effect their action at the proper interval of time and to give the required limit of motion.

My inven tion, while being applicable for use on nearly all classes of work, is more especially intended for machines employed for stitching bindings onto blankets, and for similar classes of work wherein the thin binding, being run onto the thick soft fabric, is liable to become puckered and displaced or crowded off at one side by the ordinary presser devices; also, for working on patent-leather or similar materials where the surface of the fabric is of such nature as to cause excessive friction by contact with the foot of the prcsscr. These objects I attain by the mechanism illustrated and hereinafter described, the particular subject-matter claimed being hereinafter definitely specified.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a rear view of such parts of a sewing-machine as are necessary to illustrate the nature of my invention. Fig.2 is an end view of the same. Fig. 3 is an end View of the operating devices on larger scale. Figs. 4 and 5 are detail plan views of parts detached.

In reference to the drawings, A denotes the head-frame of the sewing-machine, carrying a rocker-shaft, A, mounted in suitable bearings, and having at its end an arm, a, for reciproeating the needle-bar B, which is connected therewith by the pitman b. (J denotes the presser-bar; C,its spring; 0 the lifting-lever (N0 model.)

D, the feed-ratchet; and D indicates the position of the looping mechanism. All of the above parts may be constructed and operated in the usual manner, or as shown in machines now manufacturedt'. 6., Wheeler & Wilson Manufacturing Oompanys No.10-and therefore need not be herein more fully described.

On the end of the shaft A, I arrange a head or piece, E, secured thereto by the screw 6, or in other suitable manner, which is provided with an offset or lug, f, at its rear side, and with a trip or projection, l, which parts respectively engage with a claw or latch bar, F, one end of which is pivoted by means of a suitable stud, F, to a hub or block, G, firmly secured to the presser-bar O, as illustrated. A spring, F is provided for retaining the latchhook F in contact with the headpiece E.

A swinging auxiliary presserbar, H, pivoted to a side projection on the hub G, is provided for carrying the presser-foot H, which is arranged on its lower end. The bar H is guided and supported by a slotted plate, I, secured to the lower end of the presser-rod O, which plate I embraces the bar H just above the foot-piece Hand prevents lateral movement of said bar, while permitting free backward and forward action thereof in the operation of advancing the work. A spring, K, serves to press the bar H and foot H toward its forward position or to retain it adjacent to the needle-bar. A lip, G, on the hub G extends over the end of the swinging bar H, for taking the strain of the pressure-sprin g G from the pivot-stud g.

The arm G runs in a slot in the frame, and

serves as a guide to prevent the mechanism from turning out of place.

Screws L and M are arranged through the projectionsl and m on the head-piece E, for accurately adjusting the parts to effect their operations at the proper intervals of time. The screw M regulates the position of the catchlug f for taking hold of the latch-bar, and screw L regulates the trip or time of casting off the latch F from the lug f.

The operation of myinvention is as follows: On the downward stroke of the needle-bar the action of the rock-shaft A, by oscillating the head E, causes the lug f to engage the latchhook F and lift it upward, thereby raising the hub G, presserrod (J, auxiliary-bar H, and foot H, which are retained in elevated position until the claw or latch F is forced off from the lugfbycontactot' the trip lug or screw L, which is brought against the inner side of the latch by the rocking action of the shaft and head E. hen the latch-bar is released from the lugf the foot H immediately drops upon the fabric by the force of the pressure of the spring 0. The parts are adjusted so that the foot 11 is raised while the needleis passingdown through the cloth or fabric, and it again descends in time to press and hold the fabric secure while the loop is being formed and stitch is being drawn up. The swing of bar H permits the foot to move forward with the action of the feed-ratchet I) when carrying or feeding forward the fabric, while the spring K swings it back to its former position as soon as it is raised from the fabric sutliciently to relieve it from friction thereon. The fabric, being relieved from pressure while the foot H and feed-ratchet D are returning to their starting position, lies naturally in place, instead of being forced back against the needle by the friction of the presserfoot. Thus all liability of puckeringor crowding the binding is obviated, and thin ribbons or binding can be stitched on to thick soft blankets and similar fabrics with ease and facility, while it alsopermits of the fabric being easily turned when stitching; around curves and corners.

In lieu of pivoting the latch to the hub or drop'block G and locking the claw to a lug on the oscillating head E, the position of the catch may be reversed, said catch F being pivoted or attached to the head-piece and arranged to lock onto a lug or offset formed on the hub G or on the presser-rod, the action being substantially the same in either case.

With the construction shown my invention can be readily applied to sewing-machines now in use. The lugsfand 1 might, if preferred,

be formed directly upon the end of the shaft or on the hub of the arm a; but I prefer the construction shown.

I am aware that movable pressers have heretofore been used on sewing-machines, and I do not thcreforeherein make claim broadly to a movable presser.

What I claim as of my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, with the shaft A and presser-bar O, of the oscillating headpiece E, having the otfsetf and trip I, and the latchpiece I adapted for automatically effecting the elevation of said presser-bar, substantially as hereinbefore set forth.

2. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore described, of the presser-bar C, the auxiliary movable bar H, carrying the presser-foot H, the drop block orhub G, fixed to said presserbar, the guide I, the latch-piece I the oscillating head E, fixed to the shaft A and provided with offsets 0r lugsf I, and the springs F and K, for the purposes set forth.

3. The combinatiomwith theauxiliaryswinging bar H, carrying thefootH, and the presserbar 0, with its spring 0, of the drop-block or hub G, having a lip, G, extending over the end of said swing-bar and forming a pressure socket therefor, substantially as shown and described.

4. The combination, with the shaft A, pro vided with arm a, and presser-bar 0, provided with the catch-piece F, of the head-piece E, having offset or lugf and projections lm, the adjusting-screw M, and tripscrew L, as and for the purposes set forth.

Witness my hand this 17th day of March, A. D. 1832.

CHARLES G. SIILATTON.

Witnesses:

CHAS. H. BURLEIGH, lVAL'rER l3. ALLEN. 

